Tag-stringing machine.



L. A. McGRATH.

TAG STRINGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IIAR. 26. 1915 "atented Apr. 11, 1915.

8 SHEETS--SHEET Inventor, buwrenceAM 13$ MCGRATH.

meme MACHINE.

mgr) MAR. 26. 1915.

Patented A111. 11, 1916.

8 SHEiTS *SHEEI 2- Am 's.

L. A. MCGRATH. TAG smmsme MACHINE. APPLICATION FILES MAR. 26. 191:) v

Patented Apr. EL 1616 i 39 Fig. 1a.

. v inent'br LuwrenceA.MGruIh,

27 82 by 76w! fW Atty's L. A. McGRATH. us smmemc MACHINE.

\C TION FILED MAI-26 l9l5.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

191789932 8 swans-sun a FiglS.

W W Y lnvenIor.

Lawrence A M Gruth L. A MCGRATH.

TAG STRNGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man MAR.-26. 1915.

1,178,932. Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

B SHEETSSHEEI 7.

lnvenIor.

Lawrence A. M CraIh,

lay/6m! WkW Attys.

L. A. McGRATH. TAG smmcme MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26. \9l5- 1 178332 L Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

8 SHEETSSHEET B- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAWRENCE A. McGRATH, OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF FOUR- SIXTEENTHS TO MICHAEL F. CUNNINGHAM, OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS, FIVE-SIXTEENTHS TO MARY E. DONOVAN, OF WINTHROP, MASSACHUSETTS, AND TWO-SIXTEENTHS T WILLIAM H. DENNEHY.

TAG-STRINGING- MACHINE.

Application filed March 26, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENGF A. Mo- Gna'r n, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Randolph, county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Tag-Stringing Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to machines for stringing tags and tying a knot in the string, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a machine of this character in which these operations are automatically and rapidly performed.

The device comprises a magazine for re ceiving a plurality of tags, means for withdrawing the .lowermosttag from the magazine and presenting it to the stringing mechanism, means for introducing a loop of string through the eye of the tag and drawing the ends of the string through said loop thereby to string the tag, and means to loop the end of the string about the body thereof and to draw the end through the loop thus formed thereby to form a knot in the end of the string.

In order to give an understanding of my invention I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described, after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Figures 1 to 7 are diagrammatic views showing various steps in the process of stringing the tag and tying the knot in the string; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 9 is a plan view; Fig. 10 is vertical central longitudinal sectiop of the machine shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11,..is an enlarged detail of the magazine for holding theunstrung tags; Fig. 12 is a'sctidn on the line 12-12, Fig. 11; Figs. 13 and 14 are enlarged details of the magazine and tag presenting mechanism: Fig. 15 is a section -on the line 1515, Fig. 16; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of the devices for presenting the string to the threading needle; Fig. 17 is a detail of the string-clamping means;

Fig. 18 is a sectional plan view on the line lS--18. Fig. 8, showing the operating meeh- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

Serial N 0. 17,262.

anism for the loop spreader; Fig. 19 is an underside view of the loop spreader; Fig. 20 is a fragi'nentary view of the string-holding member of the knotting instrumentali ties; Fig. 2-1 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section showing the stringing hook and knot-tying grippers with their operative parts; Fig. 22 is a view showing partly in elevation and partly in section the parts shown in Fig. 21; Figs. 23 and 24 are views of the loop-forming element of the knotter shoving it in different positions; Fig. 25 is a section on the linef25*-25, Fig. 2st. Fig. 26 is a detail view of the means for operating the threader Fig. 2.7 is an enlarged section on lines a-a Fig. 8. Fig. 28 is a view showing the operation of the string winding means; Fig. 29 is afragmentary view of the string presenting element and threader, Fig. 30 is an enlarged section through the string guiding block, Fig. 31 is a plan view of said block, Fig. 32 is a diagram plan view showing the relative positions of the successive tags during the stringing and knot tying operations.

As stated above, the. machine herein illus trated is designed not only to string the tag, but also to tie a knot in the string. Before proceeding with a detailed description of the parts of the machine, I will refer briefly to Figs. 1 to 7 which illustrate the various steps carried out in stringing the tag and tying the. knot therein. The ta to be strung is shown at 1 and in the mac iine herein illustrated itis helll in a horizontal position during the stringing and knot-tying operations. The first step in the operation is shown in Fig. 1, and it consists in presenting a length of string 2, which is doubled on itself, as illustrated. to a threading implement 3 in the form of a helical needle having .a stringreceiving notch 4 in its end. This needle is turned about its axis from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, and

during this movement the notch thereof engages the loop of the string 2 and carries said loop through the eye 5 of thetag 1, the string at this time being carried around un- (lerneath a string-guiding block 6. When the parts have reached this position a loop spreader 7 is advanced directly underneath the point of the needle into the loop 8, said spreaderhaving the general shape shown in Figs. and 19 and operating not only to spread the loop but also to pick said loop oil from the threader 3. tracted and a stringing'hook 9 is advanced through the spread loop 8, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 3, said hook having a throat 10 adapted to receive the two strands of the string 2. This stringing hook 9 which will be more fully hereinafter described seizes the two ends of the string 2 and then is retracted, as shown in Fig. 4, thus drawing the ends of the string through the loop 8. This completes the stringing of the tag. The tying of the knot 11 in the end of the string 2, as shown in Fig. 7, is accomplished by knot-forming instrument-alities shown diagrammatically in Figs. 5 and 6. These comprise a string-holding device 12 which is constructed to grip the string 2 between the stringing book 9 and the tag, as shown in Fig. 5, a looping member 13 adapted to receive the ends 14 of the string and loop them about the main portion thereof, and knottying grippers 15 which are constructed to seize the ends 14 of the string and draw them through the loop 166 formed by the looping element 13,-as shown in Fig. 6 I At this time the tag is held by a tag hold-gown 16 which,

together with the knot-tying grippers 15, has

a bodily movement relative to a stationary post 17 which engages the string 2, so that said bodily movement will serve to tighten the knot. These various instrumentalities, which are only shown diagrammatically in Figs. ,1 to 7, are sustained on a suitable framework 18 in which is journaled a main shaft 19 carrying various cams and other elements for giving proper movement to the stringin and knot-tying instrumentalities.

' .The sha t 19 may be driven in any suitable way and is herein shown as provided with a.

belt pulley 20 for this purpose. The tags 1 to be strung are sustained in 31 magazine, and provision is made for feeding the tags one at a time from said magazine into posi tion to have the string 2 threaded therethrough by the threading needle 3. This threading. needle 3 has a general helical shape, as above stated; and is carried by a shaft 21 journaled in bearings 22 carried on the frame-[This threader is 'ven its oscillatory movementby means 0 a gear sector 24 meshing with'a pinion 25 fast on the shaft 21, saidsector being carried by an elbow lever 26 pivoted to ,the frame at 27,

and one arm of which carries a roll 23 operin a cam groove 29 in a cam member 30 net on-the shaft 19. Inasmuch as the threads! films a general helical shape, as shown'in Fig. 16, it is necessary to move the shaft 21 longitudinally as it turns in order that the threader may properly enter the eye of the tag. This longitudinal movement of T he needle is then re" "is the same as the pitch of the threader 3,

and hence as the shaft 21 turns, it will be moved longitudinally so that the threader will pass through the eye of the tag without moving the tag from its proper position.

The magazine in which the unstrung tags are received is shown generally at 33, and is best illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14. This'magazine comprises two side members 3% betweenwhich the tags 1 are received, as shown in Fig. 11, and two bottom plates '35 on which the tags are supported. Each plate has rising therefrom a lip or shoulder 36 of the thickness equal to that of one of the tags 1. These plates 35 are mounted for movement toward and from each other and also for longitudinal movement, the movement toward each other operating to grip the edges of the lowermost tag, and the longitudinal movement operating to withdraw said lowermost tag from the magazine into position to be engaged by a tag-feeding member that feeds the tag forwardly into the proper position for the threader 3' to pass through the eye 5 thereof. The magazine is open at the top to permit the tags to be placed therein, and the sides 34 thereof are provided with positioning ribs 37 against which the end of the tags engage, said ribs positioning the tags in the magazine. The front of the magazine is constituted by a transversely-extending member '39 which is provided at. its lower edge with .a flange or lip 38 on which the front end of the stack of tags issupported, the body of the side walls, so that there will be a space directly beneath the positioning ribs equal 'to the thickness of a tag, as seen in Fig. 11. When the magazine is filled with tags, the bottom tag rests on the plates 35 between the shoulders 36, and the front end thereof rests on the lip 38, as seen in Fig. 14. Durin g the operation of the machine the plates 34 are moved toward each other to bring the shoulders 36 against the edge of the lowermosttag with sufficient pressure to grip the tag between them and then said plates move rearwardly thereby withdrawing the lowermost tag from the stack beneath the ribs 37, as shown in Fig. 13, said ribs holding the other tags from any movement. This rearward movement of thc plates is sufficient to draw the front end of the lowermost tag off from the lip 38 into a position to be engaged by a tag feeding member 41. When 4 the parts are in this position a thin-edged tagiaiatiog member 12 is moved forwardly the end of the lowermost tag, thus sepacathzg and tag from the stack of tags and pr 11;; th eye end of the tag downwardly 18's eve over the feeding finger l0 to t or: forum; or a tag feeding member 41 as shown in This tagseparating member plvotally ilifllllltfd on the frame at 68. see Fig. 1), and is given its movement by means of a grooved cam 6h which engages a roll on the end of an arm T0 depending from the member 42. as seen in Figs. 5) and 10. then the. tag has been thus speared by the finger 40. the tag-feeding member 41 is moved forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 14. thus carrying the lowest tag into on to haze the threader 3 pass through thereof. suitable means may be employed for the tag-gripping plates their removement to withdraw the bottom on: the stack and for giving the tagn'wling member 41 its movement. In the construction herein illustrated the two plates 35 are mounted on swinging members 43 \\l -ch are pivoted at H- to a suitable bracket 45 secured to the frame. and these members are connected by a spring connection 46 which tends normally to draw them toward ea h other, said spring being the means for giving the plates 35 their tag-gripping mo tion. Each member 43 is provided ith a cam surface 47 which cotiperates with a cam arm 48 mounted on a rock shaft 49 carried by the frame, and this shaft 49 has an arm 50 fast thereto provided with a roll which is actuated by a cam 51 mounted on the shaft 19. The action of the spring 46 in tending to draw the members l3 toward each other serves as a means for keeping the roll of the arm 50 in contact with the cam surface of the cam 51. and said cam is so timed and shaped that the plates 35 are held separated from each other until the proper time in the cycle of operations when a tag is to be withdrawn from the bottom of the stack. at which time the roll of the arm 50 passes off from the cam surface. thus allowing the spring 46 to bring the plates 35 toward each other into a position to cause the shouldersfiltl to grip the edges of the lowermost tag. After the plates have been moved backwardlyto withdraw the lowermost tag and the tag is properly impaled on the [ingel 40, shown in Fig. 13, then the cam 51 operates on the cam arm 50 to rock the shaft if and thereby through the cam arm 49 nmving the members 43 away from each other to release the lowermost tag.

In the present embodiment of my in vention the plates 35 are given their longitudinal movement by the. means which moves the feeding finger "l i. This finger 41 is shown as pivotally mounted on a slide operating in suitable guideways formed in the frame and actuated by means of a cam fast on the shaft 19. For this purpose the cam is provided with a cam groove 54 engaging a roll carried by a lever 56 pivoted at 57 to the frame, said lever being connected to the slide 52 through a link 58. The slide 52 is shown as guided at its rear end in a guide way 59 formed in the frame, and at its front end it is guided in a guideway formed in a block 60. the latter having a dove-tailed guideway 61 therein in which plays a correspondingly-slurped projection (52 formed on the slide. The plates are secured to the members in such a way as to permit the plates to move longitudinally on said members, this being herein provided for by providing the plates with slots 63 through which pass screws (H that are screw-threznled into the members 43. This provides for the requisite longitudinal movement of the plates 35 relative to the members 43. but compels said plates 35 to move laterally with the members 43. The slide 52 is provided with two lateral projections 65 that operate beneath the adjacent edges of the plate 235. and each plate has depen ing therefrom two pins or projections (i6, as seen in Fig. 5). During the latter part of the backward movement of the slide 52. the projections 5 thereon will engage the pins 67. thereby giving the plates a rearward movement, and during the latter part of the forward move ment of the slide 52, the projections ()5 will engage the pins 66 and restore the plates to their normal position. The movements of these partsare so timed relative to each other that during the backward movement of the slide 52 the plates 35 are given their movement toward each other to grip the lowermost tag. so that when the projections 65 engage the pins 67 the backward movement thus given to the plates 35 will withdraw the bottom tag from the stack. as seen in Fig. 13. During the ll'lOVtlYlLllll of the slide from the position shown in Fig. 13 to that shown in Fig. 14. the plates 35 are returned to their initial position ready to receive another tag by the engagement of the projection (35 with the pin 66. \Vhen the lowermost tag has been fedforward into position to be strung by the threader, the eye end of the. tag rests on a supporting surface 71 and the tag is situated underneath a hold-down plate 235, this being the position of the tag shown in Fig. ll. At this time the finger A) withdrawn from the eye of the tag and the slide 52 is then moved rearwardly in order to feed another tag for- 'ard.

The following means are employed for controlling the position vertically of the member ll: As stated above this member 41 is pivoted at 72 to the slide 52. and it is provided with a laterally-extending pin 73 operating in a groove 74 formed in the frame. The forward end 75 of this groove wldened and it supports a switch cam in the form of a spring member 76 secured to a PIOJGCtlOIl 77, so that when the member 41 moves to the right, Fig. 13, it will pass over the top of the switch cam 76 and will be held thereby in its elevated position in engagement with the tag 1. When the member 11 reaches the limit of its right-hand movement, it is moved downwardly to withdraw it from the tag and on its rearward movement 1t passes underneath the switch cam 76, the free or left-hand end of the latter yielding to permit the pin 73 to pass out from under it. For insuring that the member 41 will have its downward movement to withdraw the finger 40 from the tag, I have provided a swinging arm 78 pivoted to the frame at 79 and formed with the hooked end 80 which is adapted to engage a finger 81 formed on the member 41. This arm 78 has rigid therewith an arm 82 which is actuated by a path cam 83 carried by the shaft 19.

Said cam is so timed that just before the slide 52 and member 41 reach the forward or right-hand end of their movement the pull-down 78 will be raised into the dotted line position Fig. 13, so that when the member 41 completes its movement the finger 81 thereof will be engaged by the hook 80. At this time the cam 83 actuates the arm 8; to swing the member 71 downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 1-1, thus withdrawing the finger 40 from the tag. The member 78 is held in this position while the slide 72 moves rearwardly, and-the pin 73 .of the member 41 will thus be carried underneatl the switch cam 76.

It will thus be seen that I have provided means for withdrawing the lowermost tag from the stack, separating said tag from the remaining tags of thestack and then feeding said tag forwardly into position to be strung.

As stated abo e. the string 2 is threaded or strung through the eye of the tag by means of the curved helical threader 3. Suitable means are also provided for presenting a proper length of string to the threader so that the latter in its movement will take said length of string and carry it through the eye 5 of the tag. This stringpresenting mechanism is constructed to measure and cut off a length of string and form said length into a loop which is presented to the threader 3. Said string-pre senting mechanism comprises a swinging arm' 81 mounted on a shaft 85 journaled in suitable bearings 86 and connected to and driven from the shaft 19 by means of a sprocket chain 87. This arm 84 is provided at its outer end with a string-guiding eye 88 situated axially of the shaft 85. The string which is taken from any suitable source of supply is threaded through the eye 89 and thence through. the eye 88. (1ooperating with the arm 84 is a string clamp and cutter shown best in Figs. 15 and 16. This comp-rises a block 90 mounted on the portion 91 of the frame and having formed therein a transverse sti'ingreceiving groove 92 situated to have the string 2 laid therein by the rotative movement of the arm 84. This block 90 is formed with a fixed string clamping member and with a fixed shearing edge 94.. The fixed clamping member 93 cooperates with a movable string-clamping member 95 slidably mounted in suitabl guides in the block, and the shearing edge 94 coiiperates with a cutting knife 96 also slidably mounted in the block 90. The clamping n'iember 95 and shearing knife 9 cooperate to cut of? a measured length of string to be strung into the tag and to hoid the end of string from winrh the measured length is severed while the next succeeding length of string is being measured off. i

The means herein shown for operating the knife 96 and clamping member 95 are as follows: The block 90 has journaled therein a rock-shaft 97 which has extending laterally therefrom a pin 98 that extends through an opening in the body of the knife on so that rocking movement of the shaft 9? will give the knife 96 its reciprocating movement. This pin 98 also extends through a slot 99 formed in the clamping member 5)? and the latter is acted upon by spring 100 which tends to urge it toward the fixed clamping member 9. -3. When the shaft 97 is turned clockwise. Fig. 1.3. the first movement thereof will withdraw the knife on until it clears the shearing edge 94, and then the pin '98 will bring up against the slot 99 so that further turning movement of said rock-shaft will withdraw the clamping member. 'hen the shaft 97 is moved in the opposite direction. the knife 96 and clamping member 95 will move together. the latter being urged forward by the spring 100. until the clamping member comes into position to clamp the string against the fixed clamping member 93. as shown in Fig. 15. and as the shaft 97 continues its turning movement the knife will be advanced to cut the string. In Fig. 15 the end of the string shown is that leading to the source of supply and the operations above described ar those performed in cutting off a measuredfiength of string.

As Stlnttd above. the string 2 leading from the clamp in Fig. 15 leads to the guide eyes 88 and 8Q of the arm 84. and as the latter turns the string is drawn through said eyes, and during the complete turning movement of the arm, it is carried around a loop former and presenter 101. herein shown in former and presenter is forked, as shown best in Fig. 16, the purpose of which will presently appear,

It will now be understood that assuming one end of the spring 2 is gripped by the clamp 93. 5, the rotation of the arm 84 will carry the string around the loop presenter 101 and ba k to the clamping member again thereby measuring off a length of string 2 which extends from the clamp 93, 95 to the string presenter and back to the guide eye 88, this being the length of string which is strung into the tag. As the arm 84- completes its revolution and the guide eye 88 passes the block 90. the knife 96 and clamping member 95 are withdrawn, thereby releasing the end of the measured length of string 2 and opening the throat or passage 92 for the reception of the string. When the string has been laid into the groove or pas- 92. the clamp 95 is again rendered operative to clamp the string, and the knife 96 comes into play to sev r the string, thus cut ting off the measured length while retaining the end of the next length in the clamp. This" herein i\t,(')11l])llSl1((l by providing the rack-shaft 97 with an arm 103 which is situated to be engaged by the upper end of the arm f 'ias the latter rotates so that as the arm ln -i wipes by the arni lOil, it will give the rock-shaft $37 the requisite turning movement to open the clamp and withdraw the knife. The return movement of the clamp and knife is effected by the spring 100 acting on the clamping member 95 and a spring 1514 acting on the shaft 97. It will thus he been. that upon each complete rotation of the arm 84. a length of string will be meas ured off, laid about the string presenter 101 and severed by the knife 91'. This length of string is thus in the form of a loop situated directly above the threader 3. The presenter 101 is mounted for movement toward and from the threader P) and means are pro vided for moving the notched end of said presenter downwardly after the length of string has been laid thereabout and severed. thereby to bring the loop formed in the string by the loop present-r lid into position t be engaged by threaded 11 th latter rotatrs. This curved tl rd pi, [11:31 is sliovvn as: 1 arti rircular ii sha r aruas opera ing in a rurved guide- 3. 1; 105 formed in a blnrh 1 11 Any suitaliie means for on log the pre nter its requisite movement may b employed. In the onstriction hers-in illustrated said presenter has a lad; 1d? oonnecte: tha-r-io which in turn is piwiallv c nnected to a lever 108 pivoted to the frame at it)? and operated by a cam surface 110 formed on the can: menr her 111 carried by the shaft 19. A ftrr the length oistring :2 has been severed it is desirable to subject it to sulficii' nt tension to hold t taut on the string presenter 101 while the notched end of the the latter is moving downwardly to carry the string into position to be engaged by the threader 3. This is herein accomplished by a tension device comprising a roller member 112 carried by a bracket 113 secured by the frame and a cooperating clamping member 114 which is sustained on an arm 11?) slidably mounted in the bracket, the member 114 and arm 115 constituting a T-shaped device. As the length of string is being measured off by the arm 81 and given its loop formation. as shown in Fig. 16. the clamping member 114 is separated from the clamping member 112, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 17, so that the string forming the two sides of the loop will be carried into the space between the clamping members.

Before the length of string is severed, as above described, the clamping member 114 moves into clamping position so as to maintain the string taut between the string presenter 101 and the tension device. The clamping or friction member 114 is acted upon by a spring 116 which tends to move it into its operative position and it is moved forwardly at the proper time by means of a cam 11? mounted on the shaft 85 that carries the arm 84. said cam operating in a groove formed in the arm 115. This cam is so designed that it will positively force the member 114 forwardly, while the string is being laid about the string presenter 101, and will 1 release the member to permit the spring 116 to move it into operative position when the length of string has been measured and severed. If desired, I may make the roller member 112 with right and left hand spiral corrugations thereon so that as the string is drawn through the tension device and'the friction of the string causes the roller member 112 to turn, the spiral grooves therein will bring the ends of the string toward each other. I

As the string presenter 101 moves downwardly it carries the loop of string 2 into position to be engaged by the notched end of the threader 3 and the mechanism for operating the threader is so timed as to move the threader forwardly at the proper time to pick the string off from the string presenter 101. During this movement of the threader the end thereof passes through the forked end of the string presenter, this construction being provided to permit the threader to engage properly the loop of string. After the string has been taken from the string presenter by the threader. said string presenter is retracted and the threader continues its forward i'novement to carry the looped string through the tag, as shown in Fig. 2. Cooperating with the threader is a block 6 having a curved guideway 228 around which the threader passes in its turning movement and around which the loop of string is carried, as clearly seen in Fig. \Vhen the looped string has thus been carried through the eye of the tag and around the block (3, as shown in Fig. 2, the loop 8 of the string is engaged by a loop spreader T which holds the loop while the threader retracts and while the stringing hook 5. is passed through the loop to draw the ends of the string therethrough, as above described. This loop spreader T is construeted with a pointed portion or beak to enter the loop and is herein shown as carried by a shaft 118 suitably journaled in the. frame. This shaft is given its requisite movement for moving the loop spreader into and out of the loop by means of a gear 119 fast on the shaft which meshes with a segment gear 120 carried by a member 121 that is pivoted to the frame at 122. This memher 121 is given its turning movement by means of a slide 123 which is slidably mounted in a guideway 12-: formed in the portion 125 of the frame and actuated by a lever 126 which is pivoted to the frame at 109 and is controlled by a cam surface 1'27 mounted on the cam member 110. The lever 126 is connected to the slide 123 by means of a link 128, and said lever is held in contact with the cam surface by means of a spring 129. The connection. between the slide 123 and the member .121, by which longitudinal movemcntof the slide turns the lever. is constituted by a pin 130 secured to the slide and operating in a cam slot 131 formed in the member 121, so that longitudinal move-- ment of the slide will give the proper turning movement to the member 121 and thus to the loop spreader.

The loop spreader has associated therewith a stripping plate 132 which operates to strip the loop from the spreader when the latter is retracted. The loop spreader also mounted for vertical mm'einent and is given its vertical nnavement after it has entered the loop to spread the latter. and. in order to lengthen the loop and prov ide more room for the operation of the stringing hook. lhls vertical movement of the looper is herein provided for bv making the slide 12 with the two bevel lingers lll-lengage a collar 3 formed on the shaft 11%. as the slide moves fornard. The (om-trim tion of the slot 131 is such that the turning moveioen of the member 121 is ell'ected during the first part of the forward movement of the slit and before the bevel fingers 13+ operate to lift the shaft 118. After the looped string has been inserted through the eye of the tag and the loop has been spread. the next step in the o eration is the completion of the stringing which consists in drawing the free ends of the looped string through the loop 8 thereof, as shown in Fig. 4. This is accomplished by the stringing hook 9, as above stated. This stringing hook 9 is provided with the open throat 10 and is secured to a slide 137 operating in a suitable guideway in the frame and carrying rack teeth 138 that mesh with a pinion 139 mounted on the shaft 140. This shaft carries. another pinion 141 which meshes with a gear segment 142 carried by an elbow lever 143 pivoted to the frame at 144 and actuated by a cam groove 14:") formed in the cam member 146 mounted on the shaft 19. It

will be understood that the cam groove is so shaped and timed as to give the stringing hook its forward movement through the loop 8 at the proper time and -then its retracting movement to draw the ends of the string 2 through said loop 8, as shown in Fig. l. The end of the stringing book 9 is beveled slightly, as shown at 1.47, and the means for handling the string operates in such a way that when the hook advances into the dotted line position Fig. 3, the two ends of the string which are held under tension by the tension device 114 will 'ipe by the beveled end 147 of the hook and will be carried into the open throat 10 thereof so that on the backward movement of the book 9 the string will be drawn through the loop 8.

In order to ell'eelively draw the string through {he loop it is desirable to have the string iped by the book so as to prevent the st: l .g ends from ecmning disengaged from the threat 10. This is herein aceon'r plished by a gr iping member 148 in the form of a pin 1 lie axially thr ugh the hook 9 Zllxl adapted to be moved into gripping engagement with the string ends occupying the throat 136 during the barkward movement. of the hook.

Means are provided for withdrawing the ripping finger 1-18 to open the throat 13 hen the hook moeesforwardly and to give the linger 145 a movement to grip the string when the hooi; ltliHQri Emelcwardly. This nplir-slwd by a Friction spring 11-9 herein tl i' whirh is secured to the finger H8 and which frictionaliy engages a p rtion 150 of the frame. To providv for attaching the. spring to the linger 118. the latt r is extended be yond the rear end of die book 9 and has a bloel: l5! rigid t enith to hirb the spring 149 is :1 The block 131 is (a-- pabio of having .1 s ight m vement between the end of the hook and the arm 1532 through which the nd of th finger 14-? slides. and in the operation of the machine when the carrier 134 is moved forwardly or to the left, Fig. 22. the friction of the spring 141' against the frame is sultieient to hold the linger 14 8 from movement until the lock 151 has brought up against the finger 152. after which the finger moves with the hook,

this movement being sullicient to open theright, Fig. 22, the drag or friction of the spring 149 against the frame will hold the finger 148 stationary until the string is clamped thereby. After the tag is thus strung a knot 11 is tied in the ends of the string, as shown in Fig. 7. At this time it is necessary to withdraw the string from the block 6 about which it has been looped. and for this purpose, said block is made in two parts 153. 151, the part 153 being stationary and the part 154 being movable laterally. This block section 154 is carried by an arm 155 pivoted to the frame at 156. and it has connected thereto a link 157 which is pivoted to a lever 158 loosely mounted on a shaft 159 carried by depending brackets 160 on the frame, said lever being acted upon by a cam 161 mounted on the shaft 19 and also by a spring 162 which holds the lever against the cam. These parts are so constructed that when the tag has been strung, as shown in Fig. 4, the block section 154 is moved away from the stationary block section 153 so as to allow the string which has been looped about the block to be withdrawn therefrom between the block sections. As the string ends are drawn through the loop 8 by the stringing hook 9 they are carried into a knotting looper by which they are looped about the body of the string to form the loop 166, Fig. 6, and thereafter knot-tying grippers 15 engage the ends 14 of the string and draw them through the loop 166 to form the knot. This knotting looper is shown generally at 13 and it is in the form of a cylindrical member rotatably mounted in a block 167 fixedly secured to the frame. and it is provided in one side with a throat 168 into which the ends 14 of the string are drawn the stringing hook 9 is retracted. These ends 14 are then gripped in this throat 168 and the member 13 is turned about its axis to form the loop 166 in the string. 1t will be understood, of course, that the stringing hook 9 is moved axially through the knotting looper 13. This looper 13 is provided on one side of the throat 168 with a fixed jaw 169, and cooperating with the jaw 169 is a movable jaw 170 which is opened automatically away from the jaw 169 when the looper 13 turns in one direction, and is moved toward said fixed jaw 169 to clamp the string ends thereagainst when the member 13 turns in the opposite direction. To accomplish this the jaw 170 is carried by a curved member 171 which is frictionally mounted in an annular groove 172 formed in one end of the member 13. This member 171 is provided with an exterior concentric friction surface 173 which is engaged by a. brake 174 pivoted at 175 to the block 167 and acted upon by a suitable spring 176. The curved member 171 is adapted to have a slight turning movement relative to the looper 13, and with this construction when the looper turns in the diiwtion of the arrow a, Fig 23. the friction of the brake 174 on the member 171 will hold it stationary until the jaw 176 is engaged by the jaw 16:). after which the two parts will turn as a unitary structure. Similarly. when the member 13 moves in the opposite direction, the jaws will be opened automati cally as far as permitted, after which the parts will turn as a unitary structure. The looper is shown in Fig. in the position it. occupies while the string ends 14 are being drawn through the loop 8, and during this movement said ends will pass into the throat 168, it being understood that the jaws 169 and 170 are opened away from each other. This is the positionof the parts indicated in diagram in Fig. 9. \Vhen the string has been moved into this position the looper 13 is given a turning movement in the direction of the arrow a, Fig. '23, or in the direction of the arrow in Fig. to carry the ends 1aof the string about the body thereof and form the loop 166. 'hile the lanotting looper 13 is thus looping the ends 11 of the string about the body thereof. said body of the string is held stationary in position by means of a string-holding dev ice 1'3 which will be presently described. The looping member 13 is given its rotative movement by means of a rack-bar 178 operating through the block 167 and the teeth of which en teeth 17") formed on the exterior of looper. This rack-bar is actuated by a l 1 180 pivotally mounted on the shaft 15 l controued by a face cam 181.

The string'holding device 12 coon rises two jaws 183. 181 carried by a s ging member 185 which is pivoted at 1% go the frame. The jaw 1831 is fixed to thmember 185 while the jaw 184 is formed or, 5 slotted element 187 pivoted to the mom i'wii at 188, and provided with a slot 18 which operates a pin 19!) carried by a 1: er 191 pivotally mounted on the shaft 15. an controlled by a cam 15);. The lever 191 is thus given an oscillatory movement which oper ates both to swing the member 185 into and out of operative position and also to swing the element 181' about its pivot. to open and close the jaws. 193 is a spring confined be tween the movable element 187 and an abut-- ment 19-1 formed on the swinging nicn'ibcr 185, said spring operating normally 'to hold the jaws or nippers open. Vhen the lever 191 is moved forwardly it acts through the pin 190 and member 187 first to swii'ig the member 185 up into operative position witb the jaws open. the movement of the meinlgier 185 being limited by the engagement of the jaw .183 with the portion 199 of the frame. "hcn the member 185 is in this position the lower jaw 183 has beencarried beneath the lever 191 will operate to swing the member 187 against the action of the spring 193 and thereby close the jaw 181i down onto the string. The body' of the string is thus gripped and firmly held while the knottying looper carries the ends 14 of the string about the body thereof. As the string is being gripped by the string-holding device 12. the stringing book 9 is moved forwardly, it being understood from the previous description that dlu'ing such forward movement the holding finger lltr'ivill be retracted due to the friction of the spring 140 against the portion 150 of the frame. This disengaging of the string from the stringing hook is accomplished by means of a pusher 200 carried by the upper end of the lever 191, so that as the lever makes its final forward moven'ient, the pusher will engage the string and remove it from the hook l). As the looper 1 3 is operating to loop the ends of the string 11 about the body thereof a pair of knottving grippers 15 are moved forwardly over the body of the string, through the loop being formed and into position to seize the ends 11 of the string, as shown in Fig. 6. These knot-tying grippers 15 are mounted '1 swinging arm 201 fast on a vertically- ..eatending rock shaft 202 suitably journaled the frame, said rock shaft having an arm 1-11 3 extending therefrom which is actuated by a cam groove 204 in a cam member 305. "i he cam operates to swing the arm 201 laterally to bring the grippers 15 into position to seize the ends of the thread and then to withdraw the grippers to draw the ends through the loop 166. These grippers 15 comprise two gripping jaws 205, 206, the jaw 205 being fixed to the arm 201, and the jaw 206 being slidably mounted thereon. The shank of the jaw 205 is provided with a slot in which the jaw 206 operates, and by which it is guided.

Means are provided for opening the jaws 205, 206 as they approach the inner end of their movement so that they are in a position to seize .the end 14 of the string, and when the jaws have moved into the position shown in Fig. 6. they are automatically closed to griplthe string and are then moved outwardly to draw the ends 11 through the loop 166 and complete the knot. 'ihe means herein provided for thus open in! and closing the jaws is rendered opera-- live by the movement of the carrier or arm .f'd herein shown. the shank of the jaw 206 has an arm 20? extending laterally therefrom to which is connected one end of a spring 206. the other end of the spring being anch red to a linger 20$) fixed to the carrier 201. This spring 208 thus serves yicldingly to hold the jaws closed. The arm 20? has pivotally conncctcd thereto a link 210 which in turn is pivoted to one end of an arm 211, the other end of said arm being pivoted at 212 to the arm 201. 213 is a fixed plate or flange carried by a bracket 220 secured to the frame. This plate or flange 213 has pivotally mounted thereon at 214 a member 215 carrying at its outer end a vertically-extending flange or rib 216 that has an inclined position, as shown best in Fig. 21. This member 215 is yieldingly held against the stop 218 by means of a spring 217. The arm or member 211 has depending therefrom a projection 219 situated to engage the flange 216 as the arm 211 swings about its pivot. The parts are shown in Fig. 21 with the arm 201 in its forward position and with the gripping jaws closed onto the ends 11 of the string. As the arm 201 is moved downwardly in Fig. 21, or outwardly laterally by its actuating cam, the ends 1-1 of the string are drawn through the loop 166 to complete the knot, and during tlns movement the projection 219 ongages the inclined web 216 and moves the member 215 laterally against the action of the spring. When the arm 201 reaches the outer limit of its movement the projection 21'.) engages a cam rib 221 secured to the plate 213 which operates through the link 210 to move the jaw 206 forwardly thereby opening the jaws to release the string ends 14. When the arm 201 is moved inwardly again to seize the ends 14 of the next string, the projection 21!) engages the cam face 216 and because the member 215 is resting against the stop 218. said cam face will oper ate through the link 210 to move the jaw l00 206 forwardly thereby to open the jaws pre paratory to Ting the ends 14 of the next string. 'l'hi; ening movement of the jaws is, therefore lilected during the final inward movement of the arm 201.

After the knot ting grippers 15 have drawn the ends 11 of the thread through the loop 166. the knot is tightened, and this is done by holding the tag firmly while the grippers 1.3 complete their lmckward movement. To 119 do this a tag hold-down 16 is provided which engages the tag as the knot is being formed, as shown in Fig. 6. and holds said tag firmly against a supporting plate 230, and a stationary post 17 is also provided which is 115 situated to bc cngagcd by the string 2 during the knot-tightening operation, so that the string will be drawn around the post by the backward movement of the grippers 15. Preparatory to the tag being engaged by the tag holdalown 16. said tag is swung laterally from the position in which the string was looped tln-rcthrough into a position to be engaged by the hold-down 16. This lateral movement of the tag is accompuishcd whilc it is being strung and before the knot is formed in the string, and it is cli'ccted by means of a tag-pushing member .331 which is pivotally connected at-one end to an arm 232 rigid with the arm 56, the

outer end of this tag-pushing member 231 carrying a projection 233 which operat s in a cam groove 23% formed in a plate J var ried by the frame and situated immediately abope the tag being strung. In Fig. 112 l have shown a diagram illustrating th se various movements of the tag. the position (1 indicating the tag in the magazine. the, position I) indicating the tag when it is moved forwardly into position'to be strung by the threader 3, and position (1 indicating the position of the tag after it has moved laterally by the pusher 231. This lateral move ment is eii ected while the threader i; is still occupying the eye of the tag, so that the lateral movement of the tag will be about the threader as a center. This lateral movement of the tag from position to position 0 in Fig. occurs during the retracting movement of the slide 52 so that after one tag has been fed into stringing position and is being strung it is moved laterally while the slide 52 is moving back ardly in order to bring up another tag into stringing position. By the time that the second tag has been moved forwardly, the first tag has been completely strung. and the arm 201 begins its outward movement to complete and tighten the knot. The tag hold-down 16 and supporting plate 230 are both carried by the arm 201, so that when the arm moves outwardly to eiiect the tightening of the knot, the tag also moves, and this draws the string taut around the stationary post 17, as seen in Fig. 6. The tag hold-down 16 is held closed against the tag during the outward movement of the arm 20, and is opened away from the plate 230 during the inward movement of the arm. Said hold-down 16 is shown pivoted at 937 to theplate 230 from an extension of the arm 201. and said hold-down has rigid therewith a depending arm 238, the end of which is received in a cam groove having the two connected paths 239 and 240 formed in the plate 213. At the outer end of these grooves a resilient switch cam 211 is provided. The arm 238 is shown as acted upon by a spring 212 which tends normally to hold the holddown in tag-grip iing position. \Vhen the arm 201 is in its inward position, as shown in Fig. 21, the end of the projection occupies the end of the groove 239, and the hold down is clamped against the tag. During the outward swinging movement of the arm 201, the projection 23S follows the cam groove 239 which is a curved groove formed on the arc of a circle struck from the shaft :02 as a center. During this out ward movement of the arm 20. therefore. the hold-down 16 will be yieldingly held against the tag by the spring 242. When the arm Q01 reaches the outer end of'its movement, the end of the arm 238 wipes by the spring element 24.1, and upon the return the movement of the arm 301, the, finger traverses the groove 210, thus holding tag-holding member 16 elevated from the plate 230. 'hen the arm 201 itaches the inward limit of its movement the member in is closed against the. tag, as will be ob ions.

It will be remembered that the length of st ing fr m the tag to the knot extends through the looping member 13, and in order to provide f r removing the string trom looper, .L have fmn'ied the block it r dii a lateral opening .2400 which is nornmll t closed by a gate 2th) shown as pivoted to the block at 21:! and as acted upon by a spring 1213 which yieldingly holds it in operative position, as shown in Fig. 23. This gate is situated at a point opposite the positi n occupied by the throat 168 in the looping element 13 when the loop has been formed and the grippers 15 have moved forward to seize the ends 14 of the string. This is the position shown in Fig. '24. During the formation of the loop 166, the element 13 makes substantially a complete revolution, and after the loop is formed it is turned buckwardiy into the position shown in Fig. 2- and then brought to rest in this position (the cam for operating the rack bar 178 being properly designed for this purpose) and it remains in this position until the string of the strung tag has been withdrawn therefrom. hen the looper 13 comes to rest in the position shown in Fig. Qt the backward movement of the arm or carrier 201 draws the string 2 into the throat 168 and against the gate 2410 and the pressure of the string against the gate is sutitoient to swing the gate into the position shown in Fig. 24, thus allowing the string to pass out through the opening or throat 2400. After the string has cleared the looper 13. the operating cam therefor will give it a further movement into the position shown in Fig. 23, which is the position it occupies while the hook 9 is drawing the string through the loop 8, as above explained. It will be noted from Figs. 23

and 2-1 that the post 17 with which the string engages while the knot is being tightened is situated directly opposite the throat 24m) so that when the string is carried out through the throat it is brought against the post 17.

I claim:

1. In a tagsstringing and knotting machine, the combination with means to insert a loop of string through the eye of a tag, of means to draw the ends of the string through the loop, and means to tie a iznot in aid ends of the strin".

In a device of the class described, the ombination with means to insert a loop of string through the eye of a tag, of means to draw the ends of the string through the loop, means to carry said ends about the body of the string to provide a knot-forining loop, and meaiis to draw the ends of the string through said knot-forming loop there by to form a knot.

23. In a device of the class described, the combination with means to insert a loop of string through the eye of a tag, of means to draw the ends of the string through said loop, a rotary looping member to engage the ends of the string and loop them about. the b dy thereof, and means to draw the ends through the loop thus formed thereby to make a knot.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with means to sustain a tag, oi a threader, means to move the threader to carry a loop of string through the eye of said tag and around the edge thereof, means to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means to form aknot in said ends.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with means to sustain a tag, of a threader having at its end a string engaging portion. means to move the string-engaging portion of the threader through the eve of the tag and around the edge thereof thereby to loop a string through said eye and carry the looped end around the edge of the tag, means to draw the ends of the string through said 1001), and means to form a knot in said ends.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a helically-shaped threadcr having an end to engage a string and a length less than one complete turn of the helix, of means to move said threader to carry the end thereof through the eye of a tag whereby a loop of string is carried through said eye, means to draw the ends of the string through the loop thus formed, and means to form a knot in said ends.

7. In a device of the class described. the combination with means to sustain the tag to be strung, of a helically-shaped threader situated with the axis of the helix thereof: parallel to the plane occupied. by the 3. means to rotate said threader aeoutits axis t carry a l op of string through the eye. of the tag, means to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means to form a knot in said ends.

S. In a device of the class described, the combination with a helically-shaped threader, of means to support a tag in a plane parallel to the axis of the helical curve of said threader, means to operate the thremlcr to carry a string through the eye f the tag. and means to form a knot in the ends of said string.

9. In a device of the class described. the con'iliination with a tag-supporting block having an extended curved string-guiding portion, of a curved threader, means to move said threader to cause it to engage a loop of string and carry said loop through the eye of a tag and around the string-guiding portion of the block, and means to draw the ends of the string through said loop.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a curved string-guiding portion, of a curved threader, means to move said threader to cause it to engage a loop of string and carry said loop through the eye of a tag and around the string uiding por tion of the block and the edge of the tag to a position on the same side of the tag from which the string entered the eye, a loop spreader to engage the loop and spread the latter, and means to draw the ends of the string through said loop.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a curved stringguiding portion beneath the tag-receiving surface thereof, a curved threader. means to move said threader to carry a loop of string downwardly through the eye of a tag and around said string-guiding portion, and means to draw the ends of the string through the loop.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a curved string-guiding portion beneath the tag-receiving surface thereof, a curved threader, means to move said threader to carry a loop of string downwardly through the eye of a tag and around said string-guiding portion. a loop spreader to engage the loop of string, and means to draw the ends of the string through said loop.

13. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a tag-supporting block having a string-guiding portion of a curved threader, means to move said threader to cause it to engage a loop of string and carry said loop through the eye of a tag and around the string-guiding portion of the block, means to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means to form a knot -n the ends of the string. 114- In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a curved string-guiding portion, of a curved threader, means to move said threader to cause it to engage a loop of string and carry said loop through the eye of a tag and around the striiig guiding portion of the block and the edge of the tag to a position on the same side of the tag from which the string entered the eye, a loop spreader to engage the loop and spread the latter, means to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means to form a knot in the ends of the string.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a curved string-guiding portion beneath the tag-receiving surface thereof, a

curved threader, means to move said threader to carry a loop of string downwardly through the eye of a tag and around said string'guiding portion, a loop spreader to engage the loop of string, means to draw the ends of the string through said loop,

and means to form a knot in the ends of the string.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a curved string-guiding portion, of curved tbreader, means to move the threader to cause it to carry a loop of string through the eye of the tag and around said string-guiding portion of the block, a stringing hook, and means to actuate the latter to draw the ends of the string through said loop.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a curved string-guiding portion, of curved threader, "means to move the threader to cause it to carry a loop of string through the eye of the tag and around said stringguiding portion. of the block, a loop spreader to receive the loop from the threader and dread said loop, a stringing hook, and me as to actuate it to draw the ends oi the string through said loop.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a string-guiding portion beneath the tagreceiving srrt'ace thereof, of a curved threader, means to move the threader to carry a loop of string downwardly through the eye of a tag and around said stringguiding portion, a stringing hook, and means to actuate said hook to draw the ends of the string through said loop.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-supporting block having a string guiding portion beneath the tag-receiving surface thereof, of a curved threadcr, means to move the threader to carry a loop of string downwardly through the eye of a tag and around. said stringguiding portion. a loop spreader to engage said loop and spread the latter. a stringing hook, and mear to actuate said hook to draw the ends of the string through said loop.

21. Ih a device of the via described, the taimbination with a tag-14.. "iorting block having an extended cur-11d, string-guiding portion, of a curved thrcader movable in a direction to carry a loop of string around said string-guiding portion and a recipro catory stringing hook.

522. In a device of the class described, the combination with a sectional taga'ecciving block having a string-guiding portion, of a curved threadcr, means to move the thrcader to cause it to carry a loop of string through the eye of a tag and around said stringguiding portion, means to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means to separate the sections of the block to permit the string to be withdrawn therefrom.

23. In a device of the class described, the combination with a sectional tag-receiving block having a string-guiding portion. of a curved threader, means to move the threader to cause it to carry a loop of string through the eye of a tag and around said stringguiding portion, a stringing hook, means to actuate it to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means to separate the sections of the block to permit the string to be withdrawn therefrom.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a sectional tag-receiving block having a string-guiding portion, of a curved threader, means to move said threader to cause it to carry a loop of string through the eye of a tag and around said string-guiding portion, a loop spreader, a stringing hook, means to actuate the latter to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means to separate the sections of the clock to permit the strung tag to be removed.

25. In a device of the class described, the combination with means to carry a loop of string through the eye of a tag, of a str' g hook, means to actuate it to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means associated with said hook and rendered operative by the string-drawing movement thereof to grip the string as it is drawn through the loop.

26. In a device of the class described, the combination with means to carry a loop of string through the eye of a tag, of a stringing hook, means to actuate it to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and means associated with said hook and rendered operative by the string-drawing movement thereof to grip the string as it is drawn through the loop, said means being released on the forward movement of the hook.

'27. In a device of the class described, the

combination with means to carry a loop of string through the eye of a tag, of a stringing hook, means to actuate it to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and a fl ictionally-actuated string grip associated with the hook.

28. In a device of the class described, the

combination with means to carry a loop of string through the eye of a tag, of a stringing hook, means to actuate it to draw the ends of the string through said loop, and a frlctionally-iwtuated string grip associated with the hook, and rendered operative to grip the string during the string-drawing movement of the hook and to release the string during the forward movement thereof.

29. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a tag-receiving magazine provided at one end with a supporting ledge, of means to withdraw the bottom tag from said ledge, other means to feed said tag into stringing position, and means to string the ta 30. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-receiving magazine provided at one end with a supporting ledge, of means to withdraw the bottom tag from said ledge, a reciprocating tagfeeding member to engage said withdrawn tag and feed it into stringing position, and means to string said tag.

31. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-receiving magazine provided at one end with a supporting ledge, of means to withdraw the bottom tag from said ledge, a reciprocating tag-feeding member having a finger to enter the eye of the withdrawn tag and feed it into stringing position, and means to string said tag.

In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-receiving magazine provided at one end with a supporting ledge, of means to withdraw the bottom tag from said ledge, a tag-feeding member having a finger to enter the eye of said withdrawn tag, a separator to separate withdrawn tag from the other tags in the magazine and force the eye thereof over said finger, means to move said feeding member to carry said withdrawn tag into stringing position, and means to withdraw said finger from the tag and means to string the tag.

33. In a device of the class described, the combination With a tag-receiving magazine comprising side walls and having a tagsupporting ledge at one end, of two plates constituting the bottom of the magazine and each having a tag-gripping lip, means to move said plates toward each other to cause the bottom tag in the magazine to be gripped between said lips, means to move the plates longitudinally to withdraw said tag from the supporting ledge, means to release said tag, means to feed the tag into stringing position and means to string the tag.

34. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tag-receiving magazine comprising side walls and having a tagsupporting ledge at one end, of two plates constituting the bottom of the magazine and each having a tag-gripping lip, means to move said plates toward each other to cause the bottom tag in the magazine to be gripped between said lips, means to move the plates longitudinally to withdraw said tag from the supporting ledge, means to release said tag, means to feed the tag into stringing position, and means to string the ta In a device of the class described, the combination with a tagrecciving magazine comprising side walls and having a. tagsupporting ledge at one end, of two plates constituting the bottom of the magazine and each having a tag-gripping lip, ire-cans to move said plates toward each other to cause the bottom tag in the magazine to be gripped between said lips, means to more the plates longitudinally to withdraw said tag from the supporting ledge, means to release said tag, means to feed the tag into stringing position, means to string the tag, and means to tie a knot in the string.

36. In a device of the class described, the combination with a string-presenting element, of means to loop a length of string thereabout, a threader, means to move the string-presenting element into position to present the string to the threader, and means to move the threader to cause it to take the loop of string from said element and carry it through the eye of a tag.

37. In a device of the class described, the combination with a string-presenting element, of means to loop a length of string thereabout, a threader, means to move the string-presenting element into position to present the string to the threader, means to move the threader to cause it to take the loop of string from said element and carry it through the eye of a tag, and means to ilraw the ends of the string through said 00p. 7

38. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a stringpresenting element, of means to loop a measured length of string thereabout, a thrcader, means to move the string-presenting element into position to present the string to the threader,

and means to move the threader to cause it to take the loop of string from said stringpresenting element and carry it through the eye of a tag.

39. In a device of the class described, the combination with a string-presenting element, of means separate from said element to measure from a source of supply a length of string and loop said length about said element, means to sever said length from the source of supply, and means to clamp the end leading to the source of supply.

40. In a device of the class described, the combination with a string-presenting element, of means to measure from a sourceof supply a length of string and loop said length about said element, means to sever 

